Tags for presents gifted through the 'Tree of Joy' scheme are available from today - 30 years after the gift-giving initiative was first run in Guernsey.
Run by the Rotary Club of Guernsey, the idea is that people select a tag with a child's name on and buy them a suitable present. It is then given to a deserving child at Christmas.
Rotary says the Tree of Joy scheme has been such a success that it is now "an intrinsic part of Christmas for the local community".
As well as the gift giving, the 'tree' itself will be lit around the Weighbridge roundabout mast next Friday evening.
This year, two young boys whose father died of brain cancer a few months ago have been asked to turn on the lights.
James Robilliard, known as Jim, was just 33 when he died in August. His sons, Sid and Ed Robiliiard have already raised thousands of pounds in his memory for Les Bourgs Hospice by running a cake sale with their gran.
Now, the twins - aged 7 - have been asked to switch on the Tree of Joy lights on 29 November.
They will be the guests of honour at a reception at the PWC office, overlooking the Weighbridge roundabout before the switch on at 18:00.
Rotary says the lights on the mast "serve as the focal point for the ‘Tree of Joy’ present giving campaign, which Guernsey people have generously supported year after year".
Pictured: The Tree of Joy campaign provides gifts for deserving children.
The first Tree of Joy campaign was run thirty years ago, meaning thousands of children will have received gifts through the scheme over the years.
The concept remains the same, with various agencies nominating children (anonymously) who might be deserving of an extra present at Christmas.
The childrens' names are written on a tag, along with a suggested present and the tags are then distributed to various locations around the island, including shops, for members of the public to select and take away. The gifts must be returned to the same location by 9 December so they can be distributed for Christmas.
Simon Howitt, the President of the Rotary Club of Guernsey said: “Christmas is a very special time for children and we are delighted to be able to bring some extra joy into their lives as they open their Tree of Joy present.”
Wayne Bulpitt, Chair of the Rotary Community Services Committee, said: “Surely there can be no better example of the spirit in giving at Christmas, than imagining the smile on a child’s face as they open that unexpected present on Christmas morning."
Pictured: Tree of Joy gift tags are available from today.
As well as arranging gifts for children this Christmas, the Rotary Club of Guernsey is also funding food parcels for needy families.
The charity expects to be distributing 160 parcels this year after receiving "numerous additional requests for help".
"Many local families and old age pensioners are struggling with the cost of living increases and the parcels, comprising of basic food items, will go a long way to ensure that these people do not go hungry over the Christmas period when most of us are tucking into lots of festive food," said a charity spokesperson.
This will be paid for through two 'flag days' being held on November 22 and 23 at Aladdin's Cave, supermarkets across the island, and in town.
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